On September 23rd, 2024, at approximately 12:55pm Louisa County Dispatch Center received a call regarding an intoxicated male subject in Grandview, IA at Petro and More gas station. Deputies arrived and further located the subject in question in Grandview. The subject had also been previously trespassed from the property.

Christopher Cosenza, 33, from Grandview was taken into custody after being found intoxicated and further became hostile with Deputies on scene and was further uncooperative with field sobriety testing. Christopher was then arrested and transported to the Louisa County Jail.

Amazingly, while in jail, Cosenza again become uncooperative and began to attempt to fight with Deputy Sheriffs and Jailers. During this incident Cosenza caused injury to a Deputy Sheriff and property damage to jail items. Cosenza further attempted to headbutt another Deputy and was restrained.

As a result of this incident Cosenza has been charged with:

Assault on peace officer- D Felony

Operating while intoxicated (2nd Offense) – Agg. Misdemeanor

Interference with official acts- Agg. Misdemeanor

Interference with official acts- Serious Misdemeanor

Criminal Mischief- Simple Misdemeanor

Trespassing-Simple Misdemeanor

On September 25th, 2025 Cosenza posted a cash only bond and was released from the Louisa County Jail.

Congratulations to the 2024 New London Homecoming Court! The king and queen will be crowned on Friday evening at 6:45pm.

(Back row) Boys: Gavin Menke-Bailey, Corbin Jacobs-Jewell, Gage Burden, Cael Wilka, Colin Pealer

(Front row) Girls: Haylee Dudley, Lillie Gallup,  Morgan Jones, Shaylee Brothersen, Stevie Wintermeyer

The New London Community School District has issued a letter to parents regarding a change to the school dismissal times. Beginning September 30^th, the Middle and High School’s will dismiss at 3:20pm all days but Wednesday, where they will dismiss at 2:11pm. Clark elementary students will dismiss each day at 3:30pm, and 2:20 on Wednesday. The bus arrival and departure times will not change.

This change to the dismissal times has come after a traffic study was conducted at the school, which provided the district with suggestions to improve dismissal. They believe that students from the middle school and high school will be safely off campus before the elementary school begins to dismiss. They also have additional supervision in place for now to try to help the Clark Elementary students with reminders to stay on the sidewalks.

Please note that the school start times will remain unchanged for all buildings, and that this will be a 2 week trial period.

They ask that you reach out to the district with any questions or concerns.

Gasoline prices rose slightly across Iowa this week, up 7 cents from the week before to average just over $3 across Iowa. The national average is $3.21, which is 17 cents higher than in Iowa.

Diesel prices in Iowa held steady at $3.34, which is 25 cents lower than the national average.

​​​​​​​Natural gas prices rose a whopping 52 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.83/MMbtu.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

At yesterday’s Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting, the council accepted Public Works Director, Rick Mullin’s, retirement. Rick has been the public works director for 13 years and has worked for the city for 26. Drew Schumacher was promoted from assistant public works director to the position Rick held. Mullin’s retirement is effective November 29^th, 2024.

Also at the meeting, a proclamation was accepted for October to be recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Henry County Supervisor’s have a similar item on their agenda today.

The council approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation accepting a grant to construct the Airport Taxiway/Aprons for Hanger. Additionally, a second agreement was approved for a grant for the airport hangar structural improvement project.

An update was given on Eugene way, which is close to finished. There are 6 total lots, but the concrete plant will occupy one of those, leaving 5 lefts at 5 acres. Regarding the project around Main St, asphalt will be coming this fall and they are making good progress so far.

“Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center (SEIRMC) and Henry County Health Center (HCHC) will no longer accept Medicare Advantage plans offered by Aetna, effective October 10, 2024, and Wellpoint (formerly Amerigroup), effective December 31, 2024, for clinic or hospital services. In addition, the new Medicare Advantage plan being offered by Molina for 2025 will not be accepted. All patients, regardless of insurance, will receive emergency care in SEIRMC and HCHC Emergency Departments.

This decision was made after the contract terms Great River Health presented to these carriers were not accepted.  The contract terms were reasonable and accepted by other insurance carriers.  Negotiations to extend the terms of the Aetna contract to the end of the year were unsuccessful.

Patients with these plans have been notified of this upcoming change by Great River Health. Staff are working with patients to navigate receiving continued care and finding an in-network provider.

Patients wishing to receive healthcare services at SEIRMC or HCHC that are covered by their insurance must enroll in an accepted plan during Medicare Open Enrollment which runs from October 15-December 7, 2024, with a plan effective date of January 1, 2025. Great River Health will continue to accept current Medicare Advantage plans offered by Humana, United Healthcare, and Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield.”